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This testimony concerned the view of the Public Health Service (PHS) that American workers were better protected currently than they had been before the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed nearly 10 years ago. The Act established a legal framework within which awareness of problems could be translated into action to eliminate them. The PHS conducted occupational health research and provided technical assistance to employers in reducing occupational hazards since 1914. It was not until the Act was passed that NIOSH investigators had the right to enter the workplace and examine pertinent records without agreeing to keep the identify of the hazardous workplace secret. Examples of how investigations were conducted in the same facility prior to and following the adoption of the Act were presented. Now when NIOSH investigators enter a workplace they see an increased awareness on the part of the workers and most employers regarding responsiveness and concern for the employees. The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program helped solve health problems quickly and effectively at workplaces across the nation. The effectiveness of this program was evaluated recently and it was determined that in about 63 percent of the cases the workers were found to be exposed to serious hazards. Over 90 percent of those interviewed in this evaluation indicated either total or partial compliance had been made with NIOSH's recommendations following the worksite study. It appears that compliance depends on the cost to the employer as well as the effectiveness of preventive measures. In at least 400 worksites visited by NIOSH thus far, significant improvements have been made in the working conditions.